Removable watch band

ABSTRACT

A removable watch band adapted to be secured on a watch casing of a woman&#39;&#39;s watch which has a circular opening at the top and bottom thereof. The watch band includes a coupling at each end thereof that comprises a ring-shaped member having an opening at one portion thereof. The ring-shaped member is movable from a first position wherein the ring can be inserted in the circular opening to a second position wherein the ring is retained on the casing at the opening. Detent means are provided for releaseably securing the ring-shaped member in its retaining position.

United States Patent Bruner 1 [4 1 Oct. 3, 1972 REMOVABLE WATCH BAND 3,307,345 3/1967 Cohen ..224/4 G 2 Inventor: Mates A Bruner H13 wynnbrook 2,459,380 HESS... ..24/241 Place, Seem, 19018 2,637,090 5/1953 Kupchick ..24/240 Filed: Feb. 20, 1970 Appl. No.: 12,984 7 Related U.S. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 865,325, Oct. 10, 1969.

U.S. Cl. ..224/4 E, 24/240 Int. Cl. ..G04b 37/12 Field of Search... 224/4 E, 4 G; 24/265 ws, 241

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1971 Berti ..24/265 WS 8/1916 Depollier et a1 ..224/4 E Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-John Mannix Attorney-Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein & Cohen 57 ABSTRACT A removable watch band adapted to be secured on a watch casing of a woman's watch which has a circular opening at the top and bottom thereof. The watch band includes a coupling at each end thereof that comprises a ring-shaped member having an opening at one portion thereof. The ring-shaped member is movable from a first position wherein the ring can be inserted in the circular opening to a second position wherein the ring is retained on the casing at the opening. Detent means are provided for releaseably securing the ring-shaped member in its retaining position.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PETENTEBEBI 3 HR INVENTOR MATES A. BRU/VER ATTORNEYS.

REMOVABLE WATCH BAND This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 865,325, filed Oct. 10, 1969 and entitled REMOVABLE WATCH BAND.

This invention relates to a watch band, and more particularly, to a watch band that is easily removed from a womans watch. I

It is now a common practice to place a permanently secured watch band on a womans watch. If it is desired to change the watch band, normally this can only be accomplished by a jeweler. Furthermore, when the watch band is removed'from the womans watch, the securing fastener will normally be destroyed. The reason for this is that the securing fastener most commonly used comprises a pivotable hook which is received'in a circular opening on the watch casing. After the hook is placed in the opening, it is prevented from any further movement by bending a pair of tabs over the hook. The tabs are formed from a readily deformable metal, and once they are bent into place, they will normally snap if bent upwardly to permit the removal of the watch band. Therefore, if the watch band is removed, in most cases the securement fasteningmust be replaced.

Others have attempted to make watch bands removable by using spring-urged clasps, but these proved to be unreliable and caused accidental openings.

One aspect of the invention disclosed in my aforementioned application Ser. No. 865,325 was the recognition of the problems inherent in having a permanently secured watch band on a womans watch. The watch band of this invention enjoys all of the ad vantages of the watch band disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 865,325, while at the same time presenting additional advantages of its own.

One of the problems of the prior art watch bands is the fact that the watch bands cannot readily be removed for cleaning. Thus, many watch bands used by women are formed from links in which dirt will collect. If the watch band were removable, this dirt could easily be removed in a cleaning solution. However, with the watch band permanently secured in place, the only way to remove the dirt is through hand cleaning.

Another advantage of having a removable watch band is that a woman can readily change the watch band to coordinate the band with her wardrobe. Thus, a woman may wish to use a conservative style of watch band for daytime wear and a'more ornamental watch band for evening wear. If the watch band were not readily removable, the woman would be restricted in the use of her watch. However, by the womans being able to readily change the watch band by herself she will have much more flexibility in the use of her watch.

All of the problems of the non-removable watch bands discussed above were solved by the watch band disclosed in my aforementioned co-pending application Ser. No. 865,325. The watch band of this application is an improvement on that disclosed in my prior application in that there are fewer parts in the instant watch band, and accordingly, there is an ease of manufacture and use brought about by the elimination of the other parts, while at the same time retaining their function.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved removable watch band.

It is another object of this invention to provide a womans watch having a readily removable watch band.

These and other objects of this invention are accomplished by providing a removable watch band having coupling means at each end thereof, each of said coupling means comprising a plate, a ring-shaped member supported on said plate, said ring-shaped member having an opening formed in the circumference thereof, thereby forming :a pair of ends in said ring-shaped member adjacent said opening, a second plate overlying said ring-shaped member, with said ring-shaped member being positioned between said first mentioned plate and said second plate, said ringshaped member being rotatable between said plates from a first position wherein one of said ends can be inserted in a ring on a watch casing to a second position wherein said ring-shaped member is retained in said ring, and means associated with said second plate for releaseably securing said ring-shaped member in said second position.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a womans watch having the removable watch band of this invention secured thereon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the securement means of the watch band of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the securement means of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ring-shaped member of the watch band of this invention.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, an improved removable watch band embodying the present invention is generally shown at 10 in FIG. 1. Device 10 basically comprises a wrist-engaging band 12 having a securement mechanism 14 at each end thereof for securement of the watch band on a watch casing 16.

Band 12 can be any type of watch band known to the art. In the embodiment shown, the band comprises a two-piece leather strap having a series of aligned holes 18 in one piece and a buckle 20 on the other piece. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the use of a leather strap, but any of the other types of bands known to the art such as cloth straps, elastic straps, stretch bands and bracelet bands can be used while carrying out the concepts of this invention. The novelty of the invention resides in the securement or coupling mechanism 14 and its attachment to the watch casing 16. The coupling mechanism can be incorporated with, or attached to, any watch band known to the art.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the coupling mechanism comprises a plate 22 having dependent side walls 24. The plate 22 need not be of any particular shape, and the shape is normally determined by the desired attractiveness of the watch band or the shape of the band. In the embodiment shown, the plate 22 has a modified pear-shape.

An opening 26 projects inwardly from one end of the plate 22. Opening 26 is sufficiently wide to permit the insertion of a ring-shaped projection 28 on watch casing 16. The watch band of this invention is particularly adapted for use on a womans watch which normally includes the ring-shaped projections 28 on the casing. The coupling mechanism 14 is adapted for use, however, with any watch having a casing wherein rings are used for the attachment of the watch band. In FIG. 1, a small watch mechanism 30 is shown within the casing, thereby completing the entire wristwatch assembly.

A ring-shaped member 32 (FIG. is mounted against the underside of plate 22. An opening is formed in the ring of member 32, leaving exposed ends 34 and 36. A pin 38 projects upwardly from one surface of member 32. Pin 38 is unitary with the remainder of ring 32, and is formed by having an outstruck portion, shown at 38 in FIG. 5, and bending this portion upwardly.

After the ring-shaped member 32 is placed against the plate 22, a cover plate 40 is placed over the ringshaped member. As seen in FIG. 2, the cover plate 40 is received between the walls 24 of plate 22. One end of the cover plate includes protruding tabs 42 that are received in aligned notches in the walls 24. Clips 44 and 46 projecting inwardly from walls 24 secure the plate 40 in place. Plate 40 includes an opening 48 that projects inwardly from one end thereof. Opening 48 is similar in size and shape to opening 26 in plate 22, an is aligned therewith.

An L-shaped brace 50 is mounted on plate 22, and secured thereto, as by soldering. Brace 50 aids in supporting plate 40, and additionally serves as a stop for the insertion of a watch band, such as band 12. The band 12 is secured in the coupling mechanism 14 by inserting the same in the area formed by plate 22, walls 24 and plate 40. After the band has been inserted, the walls 24 are crimped in order to hold the band in place. Other types of securement of watch bands known to the art can be used in carrying out this invention. Thus, clips can be used to secure the mechanism 14 on a bracelet band, or the coupling mechanism can be formed integrally with a bracelet band or stretch band.

An arcuate slot 52 is formed in plate 40. Pin 38, projecting upwardly from ring-shaped member 32, projects through slot 52. As seen in FIG. 3, the forward portions of walls 24 are rounded, and serve as a guide for the rotational movement of ring 32, as indicated by arrow 54. Additionally, the engagement of pin 38 in slot 52 also serves as a guide for this rotational movement. Slot 52 is slightly reduced in width adjacent one end thereof, as shown in 56. The reduction in width is accomplished by slightly tapering one wall of the slot toward the other. Slot 52 is slightly enlarged adjacent taper 56, as indicated at 58 in FIG. 3. The enlarged portion 58, in combination with the taper 56, serves as a detent to maintain pin 38 in the position shown in FIG. 3. In this way, the ring-shaped member 32 is releaseably secured in the position shown in FIG. 3. Plate 40 also includes a dependent leg 60 which aids in maintaining the alignment of ring 32.

When it is desired to secure a watch band 12 having the coupling mechanism 14 onto a watch casing 16, pin 38 is moved along slot 52 from opening 58 to the opposite end of the slot. This rotates ring 32 in the direction of arrow 54, thereby completely opening the area fonned by openings 26 and 48. The coupling mechanism can then be placed over ring 28 on the watch casing 16 by inserting the ring 28 into the openings. Thereafter, pin 38 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 3, thereby securing the coupling 14 onto the watch casing. The detent formed by taper 56 and enlarged opening 58 maintains the pin 38 in the position shown in FIG. 3, thereby obviating the inadvertent removal of the watch band from the watch casing. However, whenever it is desired to remove the watch band, as for cleaning or replacement, this is easily accomplished by again sliding the pin 38 to the opposite end of slot 52.

It is thus seen that the coupling mechanism of the watch band of this invention can easily be secured to or removed from any watch having an opening adapted to receive a securing ring or hook. Generally, womans watch casings use such a securement for the watch band. The coupling mechanism of this invention can be used on any type of watch band known to the art, including stretch bands, bracelet bands or flexible straps.

The improvement embodied in this invention, as compared to the invention disclosed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 865,325, resides in the fact that it is unnecessary to provide a separate latch to secure the ring 32 in place. This is automatically accomplished by the locking mechanism provided by taper 56 and enlarged opening 58. Thus, the width of slot 52 in the area of taper 56 is just slightly greater than the width of pin 38. The taper is such as to cam the pin 38 into opening 58 when the ring 32 is rotated from the open to closed position. However, in rotating the ring from the closed to open position, the pin 38 can bypass taper 56 only with a positive pressure applied against the pin. In this way, the inadvertent opening of the ring is prevented.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention, that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, adopt the same for use under various conditions of service.

What is claimed as the invention is:

l. A removable watch band having coupling means at each end thereof, each of said coupling means comprising a first plate, a ring-shaped member supported on said first plate, said ring-shaped member having an opening formed in the circumference thereof, thereby forming a pair of ends in said ring-shaped member at said opening, means supporting said ring-shaped member on said first plate, said supporting means comprising a second plate, said second plate having an arcuate slot formed therein, said ring-shaped member having means projecting therefrom which is received in said arcuate slot, said ring-shaped member being rotatable relative to said plates from a first position wherein one of said ends can be inserted in a ring in a watch casing to a second position wherein said ringshaped member is retained in said ring, said projecting means being movable in said arcuate slot when said ring-shaped member is moved from said first position to said second position, and means associated with said arcuate slot for releasably securing said ring-shaped member in said second position, said securing means comprising an enlarged opening at one end of said slot, and a reduced width portion in said slot adjacent said enlarged opening.

2. The removable watch band of claim 1 wherein said projecting means comprises a pin.

3. The removable watch band of claim 1 wherein said first plate has a ring receiving slot formed therein, said ring receiving slot adapted to receive said ring when said ring-shaped member is in said first position, said ring being maintained in said ring receiving slot when said ring-shaped member is in said second position.

4. In combination, a watch having a casing and a removable watch band secured to said casing, said casing having rings at its top and bottom ends thereof, said watch band having coupling means secured to said rings, each of said coupling means comprising a first plate, a ring-shaped member supported on said first plate, said ring-shaped member having an opening formed in the circumference thereof, thereby forming a 5 pair of ends in said ring-shaped member at said opening, means supporting said ring-shaped member on said first plate, said supporting means comprising a second plate, said second plate having an arcuate slot formed therein, said ring-shaped member having means projecting therefrom which is received in said arcuate slot, said ring-shaped member being rotatable relative to said plates from a first position wherein one of said ends can be inserted in a ring in a watch casing to a second position wherein said ring-shaped member is retained in said ring, said projecting means being movable in said arcuate slot when said ring-shaped member is moved from said first position to said second position, and means associated with said arcuate slot for releasably securing said ring-shaped member in said second position, said securing means comprising an enlarged opening at one end of said slot, and a reduced width portion in said slot adjacent said enlarged openmg. 

1. A removable watch band having coupling means at each end thereof, each of said coupling means comprising a first plate, a ring-shaped member supported on said first plate, said ringshaped member having an opening formed in the circumference thereof, thereby forming a pair of ends in said ring-shaped member at said opening, means supporting said ring-shaped member on said first plate, said supporting means comprising a second plate, said second plate having an arcuate slot formed therein, said ring-shaped member having means projecting therefrom which is received in said arcuate slot, said ring-shaped member being rotatable relative to said plates from a first position wherein one of said ends can be inserted in a ring in a watch casing to a second position wherein said ring-shaped member is retained in said ring, said projecting means being movable in said arcuate slot when said ring-shaped member is moved from said first position to said second position, and means associated with said arcuate slot for releasably securing said ring-shaped member in said second position, said securing means comprising an enlarged opening at one end of said slot, and a reduced width portion in said slot adjacent said enlarged opening.
 2. The removable watch band of claim 1 wherein said projecting means comprises a pin.
 3. The removable watch band of claim 1 wherein said first plate has a ring receiving slot formed therein, said ring receiving slot adapted to receive said ring when said ring-shaped member is in said first position, said ring being maintained in said ring receiving slot when said ring-shaped member is in said second position.
 4. In combination, a watch having a casing and a removable watch band secured to said casing, said casing having rings at its top and bottom ends thereof, said watch band having coupling means secured to said rings, each of said coupling means comprising a first plate, a ring-shaped member supported on said first plate, said ring-shaped member having an opening formed in the circumference thereof, thereby forming a pair of ends in said ring-shaped member at said opening, means supporting said ring-shaped member on said first plate, said supporting means comprising a second plate, said second plate having an arcuate slot formed therein, said ring-shaped member having means projecting therefrom which is received in said arcuate slot, said ring-shaped member being rotatable relative to said plates from a first position wherein one of said ends can be inserted in a ring in a watch casing to a second position wherein said ring-shaped member is retained in said ring, said projecting means being movable in said arcuate slot when said ring-shaped member is moved from said first position to said second position, and means associated wIth said arcuate slot for releasably securing said ring-shaped member in said second position, said securing means comprising an enlarged opening at one end of said slot, and a reduced width portion in said slot adjacent said enlarged opening. 